I WAS intrigued to read that a job centre in Wales was rewarding those unemployed men and women with a good record for trying to get work – with free spray tans.

The treatment is offered by the Well-Being And Training Academy in Aberdare, South Wales, which is quite near the Brecon Beacons where the Paras and SAS do their survival training.

Sarah Sweeden, the academy’s director, said: “We want to give people that extra confidence – or that Gwok Wan makeover – to give people the incentive to find work. It will recognise those who are doing their utmost to find employment by giving them a beauty treatment.”

I’m all for incentives but what is a foreman to make of a bloke who applies for a job in the building trade looking like he’s just spent three weeks in Benidorm.

“Nice tan, look you.”

“Oh that. I got it whilst training with the SAS. Only part time, mind. It wouldn’t get in the way of work.”